Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How are they smokeless?
While no fire has zero smoke, a fire that gets enough heat and oxygen will burn off almost all of the fuel, leaving very little smoke. The Trashy Fire pit achieves this by directing fresh air to the bottom of the fire through the inside holes, and directing hot air to the top of the fire (to mix with, and ignite the smoke) using convection (heat rising) between the inner and outer walls.
Where are they made?
Trashy Fire Pits are proudly made in the USA. In fact, both the metal trash cans, and the fire pits are made in our home state of Minnesota. When you buy a Trashy Fire Pit you're supporting American workers twice!
Are they safe on decks, patios, or driveways?
The Trashy Fire Pit is NOT recommended to use on decks, nor should they be burned on/near other combustible materials. If used on the ground, you will likely be left with a singed/burnt circle of grass. It's recommend that you place them on fire pricks, pavers, or concrete blocks to avoid damaging the surface of concrete asphalt.
Is galvanized metal safe to use for fires?
Yes it is, but just like any fire, it should always be used outside where there is plenty of fresh air. The zinc coating on Galvanized metal will burn off over time--most of it on your first burn. You may see some black smoke and smell a metalic smell during this time. Just give it some space, until it's had a good 2 hours of hot fire and you shouldn't have much more melting after that. Smokelessfire.com has more information on galvanized metal fire pit safety.
Will they rust?
Yes, over time the metal will rust if left outside and exposed to weather. The galvanized coating is designed to inhibit rust, but this will not completely protect the fire pit since it will burn off on much of the surface. To best protect against rust, clean out the ashes after every use, and store your fire pit away from the elements in between uses. Some people have painted their TFPs using a high-temp primer and paint.
Trashy Fire Pit showing metal weathering after several uses (above). It may be painted to cover up blemishes and prevent rust (below).
